In The News This Week … May 14–20, 2006: Travel, Asthma, Caffeine, Stress, Working Moms, Breast CA, Depression, & New Antibiotic

Travel

Thinking of upgrading to the more spacious business class or first class seats to avoid "Economy Class Syndrome" on your next long-haul flight? Maybe you should. A study published in the May 17 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association looked at two suspects – air pressure and oxygen levels – and found that these factors were not responsible for the condition. Having exonerated cabin environment, the finger is again pointing at cramped quarters. So on you next flight, wherever you sit, drink extra water, avoid alcohol, and get up and walk – which should be necessary if you drink enough water.

Asthma

Here's another reason to eat fruit: A study published in the May issue of Thorax has found that adults with asthma tend to eat less fruit and consume less vitamin C and manganese than adults without asthma.

Caffeine & Preemies

We adults love our cup(s) of coffee or tea – and perhaps a caffeinated soda, just like the kids – and now it looks like babies might get in on the act. According to an article published in the May 18 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, during the first few days of life, caffeine therapy helps resolve preemies' breathing problems. Authors concluded that caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity reduces the rate of BPD in infants with very low birth weight.

Stress & the Unborn

Good news for stressed-out expecting moms – well, at least for mildly stressed-out expecting moms: Research published in the May/June issue of Child Development has found that rather than harming development, "Mild to moderate levels of psychological distress may enhance fetal maturation in healthy populations."

Working Moms

More good news for working moms: A report published in the June issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health has found that British moms who worked outside the home were healthier than stay-at-home moms. Indeed, researchers found, "Women who occupied multiple roles over the long term reported relatively good health at age 54 and this was not explained by early health. Women with weak long term ties to the labour market were more likely to be obese at age 53." Stay-at-home moms were most likely to report poor health, followed by single mothers, and women without children.

Breast CA

A study published early online on May 15 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that even in cases of metastatic breast cancer, complete excision of the primary tumor improves patients' survival rates, particularly if the metastases is only to the bone.

Depression

Are you just a pawn on the chessboard? The low (wo)man on the totem pole? A slave rowing beneath decks? If so – and if you're female – according to an article published in the May 15 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, you're at increased risk of developing symptoms of severe depression. While low status didn't bother men much, men who felt their jobs were in danger were more likely to become depressed.

New Antibiotic

Good news in the battle against superbugs! Merck has discovered a new antibiotic called platensimycin in a South African soil sample. According to research published in Nature, platensimycin has killed antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus in mice, and targets a different metabolic pathway in bacteria than current drugs.

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